I like easy issues, however they’re typically the toughest to design, whether or not that’s a pen, digital camera, bag, knife, telephone, or watch. For my part, a gown watch ought to be easy. Issues are sometimes simply distractions. Whereas they’re admirable ones, particularly when completely executed by a talented watchmaker, they don’t have any place in a easy gown watch. Not less than, that’s my requirement for an ideal gown watch. Even a seconds hand is an excessive amount of.
Daniel Roth Additional-Plat Rose Gold
I attempted on the Daniel Roth Additional-Plat Souscription watch in yellow gold earlier this 12 months (click on right here), and it left me smitten. It options simply two palms, a lovely handmade guilloché dial, and a 35.5 × 38.6mm double-ellipse case with a putting 7.7mm profile, all crafted in gold. This mannequin got here after the Daniel Roth Tourbillon as a Souscription version in yellow gold and an everyday mannequin in rose gold. Identical to the unique Daniel Roth watches from the person himself within the late Nineteen Eighties and early Nineteen Nineties, the Tourbillon got here first, and the two-hander adopted swimsuit.
Final December, I selected the Daniel Roth Tourbillon as certainly one of my favourite watches of 2024, however that was earlier than the model launched the Additional-Plat fashions in yellow gold (Souscription) and, now, the rose gold model.
And it’d get insulting right here, however I want the two-hander over the tourbillon. As stated, I like issues plain and easy, and now Daniel Roth introduces its second Additional-Plat mannequin, the rose gold reference DBBD01A1.
Caliber DR002
Whereas the yellow gold Daniel Roth Additional-Plat Souscription encompasses a stable yellow gold case again, the brand new rose gold model has a sapphire show. This enables the fortunate proprietor to admire its lovely hand-wound caliber DR002. Grasp watchmakers Michael Navas and Enrico Barbasini, together with their workforce, designed this motion. It measures solely 3.1mm thick and has a free-sprung steadiness wheel with 4 arms, every fitted with a variable-inertia weight for regulation. The DR002 motion is properly adorned with Côtes de Genève, perlage, anglage (chamfering), and high-polished screw heads.
After I talked to Navas throughout an occasion earlier this 12 months, I used to be amazed at how humble and pleasant he was. On his wrist was a prototype of the Daniel Roth Tourbillon. He talked about his experiences working for Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Franck Muller, and Gérald Genta earlier than La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton.
He shared tales about how he got here up with the wildest concepts for issues at Franck Muller, how he met and works with Jean Arnault, and the way he inherited watchmaking instruments from his father, who additionally labored on watches. Navas instructed me that he and his workforce are in contact with the legendary Daniel Roth and guarantee he’s concerned in each step they take with the model. All of it gave the impression of they’re having numerous enjoyable in what they do, and it exhibits. The Daniel Roth Additional-Plat in rose gold is a lovely gown watch that ticks many containers.
Not for everybody
I additionally notice (and observed in some feedback on earlier Daniel Roth articles) that these watches, particularly their design, aren’t for everybody. And that’s high-quality; they don’t must be. This watch is supposed for the financially fortunate few (not me) with nice appreciation for Daniel Roth and/or the grasp watchmakers Navas and Barbasini at La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton.
It’s not fairly often that I attempt on a watch that instantly blows me away. The Daniel Roth Additional-Plat did, although. And that’s what this ardour for watches is about.
It additionally appears nice on a lady’s wrist
A watch ought to impress you if you put it in your wrist, no matter value and model identify, and maybe even no matter whether or not there are any flaws to find. A watch ought to make you smile and even catch your breath! That was my expertise with the Daniel Roth Additional-Plat.
Daniel Roth Additional-Plat Rose Gold — remaining particulars and ideas
I barely want yellow gold, however this new rose gold version is simply as spectacular. The clear case again on the Additional-Plat in rose gold will most likely add worth for many collectors, enabling them to admire the work of Navas and Barbasini. La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton crafted the dial out of white gold and gave it a pinstripe guilloché ornament. There’s additionally a rose gold chapter ring with black Roman numerals.
As you’ll be able to see, the chapter ring has filet sauté borders. The black (metal) palms match the Roman numerals and wordmark at 12 completely. Daniel Roth’s Additional-Plat Rose Gold comes on a taupe calfskin strap with a rose gold pin buckle. The watch will value CHF 49,000 earlier than taxes.
Ultimately, it’s a matter of style, however just a few different gown watches have made me smile the way in which the Daniel Roth Additional-Plat does. What do you consider it? Let me know within the feedback beneath.
